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Quote by Ben Sollee

“I'm definitely musician and storyteller. But I always like to take an active role in things I care about socially and environmentally.”

Quote by Ben Sollee

Author

Born on November 28, 1983, Ben Sollee is a talented cellist known for his unique blend of blues, folk, and classical music. His music style has won the hearts of audiences, and he is renowned for his distinctive playing techniques and emotional musical expression. Sollee's works have received critical acclaim at various music festivals and performances. more

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“When you have these van tours, you drive six hours with the doors closed and windows rolled up. You pull into the venue, check into the cheap hotel you can afford, eat whatever is there, sleep, wake up, and repeat. You're not really participating in the community.”

Community Hours Sleep Doors Six Window Wake Up Checks Repeats Hotel Vans Participating Venues

Author:Ben Sollee

“I felt like I was cheating myself of those communities and cheating the audience because I wasn't able to know them. That's what the bikes did, without me having to put any arbitrary philosophy on what it was supposed to be. It enabled human connection.”

Knows Humans Philosophy Able Felt Community Audience Connections Supposed To Be Cheating Bike Arbitrary Human Connection

Author:Ben Sollee

“It's funny, people often ask me, "Why do you do bike tours where it takes three times the effort and you make one-third of the money?" My answer is that I'm trying to do it ethically. What does that mean, exactly? That conflict is a big part of my art.”

People Trying Mean Doe Art Bigs Three Asks Answers Effort Conflict Thirds Ask Me Bike Three Times Funny People

Author:Ben Sollee

“I'm a husband and a dad. Two thirds of my day is spent being that character. It's a huge part of my identity and why I pursue things I do. I'm interested in questions my son asks me, like, "Why do animals fight? Why do you have to leave us to go on the road?" Everything he asks gets me thinking. If I'm going to do this, sacrifice time with family and friends, sacrifice resources, I need to think carefully about what I going to say and how I'm going to say it.”

Ifs Thinking Needs Two Character Fighting Asks Animal Sacrifice Identity Son Huge Goes On Dad Husband Resources Thirds Pursue Ask Me My Son Family And Friends

Author:Ben Sollee

“What most interests me is human connection, whether it's on the street, in community, through music, storytelling, and shared experience. People tell me to be a rock cellist, make money, and give up on the activism so I can make more money.”

People Giving Humans I Can Interest Community Streets Rocks Giving Up Connections Activism Storytelling Making Money More Money Human Connection Shared Experiences Cellists

Author:Ben Sollee

“But that would put me on a path that would make me totally divergent from who I am. I don't have to go through the heartache many other people go through, of figuring out what makes them "wealthy." I know what brings me joy.”

People Knows Heart Joy Path Who I Am Heartache Wealthy Divergent

Author:Ben Sollee

“The idea of "making art for art's sake" makes no sense for me. Each area of my life, all the roles I play, influences the others.”

Art Ideas Play Roles Influence Areas Sake

Author:Ben Sollee

“I'm in a position I never imagined I'd be in as a musician. Bob Dylan built an audience through recording and live shows. The opportunities for an artist today are totally different.”

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Author:Ben Sollee

“Art is consumed in so many different ways. You could say people don't stop to appreciate art. On the other hand, people can consume art more quickly. Twitter, videos posted online - how do you utilize that? How do you identify yourself as an individual when you're sitting at this massive dinner table of the world with everyone on, from Kansas to Dubai?”

People World Way Art Different Hands Individual Art Is Sitting Appreciate Tables Dinner Video Different Ways Online Massive Consumed Kansas Dinner Table Dubai

Author:Ben Sollee

“I have a lot of intention behind what I put out there. The reason all this stuff I do works together, the environmental and social, collaborating with ballet companies to score a show, the bike tour - all of that stuff comes together through community building with music.”

Reason Shows Together Social Stuff Community Behinds Company Building Intention Environmental Score Working Together Ballet Bike Collaborating Community Building

Author:Ben Sollee